Mealy Bellwort, Perfoliate bellwort
Uvularia perfoliata
Family: Colchicaceae
What it is like
A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. The stems arch over. It grows about 50-90 cm high. It spreads 30-40 cm wide. It has a creeping rhizome. The stems are upright with angular forks. There are only a few leaves. There are 1-4 flowers and they hang down. The flowers are pale yellow. The flowers are bell shaped. They are 3-5 cm long.
There are 5 Uvularia species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows best on acid soils. It suits hardiness zones 3-9.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia, Canada, North America, USA (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
The roots are cooked and eaten. They can be boiled, stewed or fried. The young shoots are a substitute for asparagus.
Edible parts
Leaves, root
How it is grown
It can be grown by planting portions of the rhizome.
Its other names
Local names
Straw bell, Wood merrybells